Drazil65

3 days (for 2023)

So happy you had a great cruise and things were good on the ship (except the door thing with the guys forcing them open??? Why?). You pix are wonderful and getting me more excited to board Mardi Gras this Saturday. Always love the decorated ships at holiday time 🙂.

One of our favorite shore excursions ever was in Cozumel when we ran the Amazing Cozumel Race. It was a long time ago… LOL...haven't thought about that excursion in years! We also did it back in the day when DS was about 10 (he turned 21 this week) and it was one of the best times we ever had on a family excursion. FYI...the rockers are everywhere in NC, they are called the "Carolina Slat Rockers" made of wood. Mostly white BUT can get in other colors as well (think Carolina blue). In our town they are either white ones or green (think golf greens). Enjoying your review so far, thank you for doing it!

You're good, DH been doing it for years, likes to know he has a few cold ones in the fridge (especially if hanging out on the balcony) He will also put a couple in the collapsible cooler with ice to bring up to serenity sometimes.

Also, a cruise ship can't touch the space you have at an all inclusive. Your room will be bigger, can walk out to a large pool and large beach area. All this may be true but the AI does not take you to 3 or 4 different places (without intentionally booking something outside of the AI which in most cases will cost extra). There are pros and cons for each type of vacation. We have done several AI's over the years with our favs being in Cancun (our overall fav is Fiesta Americana Grand in Cancun) and the DR. For us the cost is apples and oranges because there is no plane fare included when we cruise as we have 6 plus cruise ports within easy driving distance that suit us just fine and go to the places we enjoy. We like both types of vacations but probably enjoy the convenience of cruising a little more so end up doing that more often.

Call Carnival and see what they can do.

We keep our extra soda in a collapsible cooler (ours does not leak as of yet anyway) and ask our cabin steward to bring fresh ice for the cooler each day (and our ice bucket so we always seem to have plenty of ice on hand). Our refrigerator in cabin usually gets the job done and we keep the extra cans on ice in cooler. Have you tried keeping the door to the cabinet that houses the fridge ajar so air circulates around the fridge?

I’m deaf and can’t call! I’ve been Diamond forever. Is there a live chat box where you could at least get the conversation started or is there someone that could help you with the phone call?

I would take the connecting rooms on deck 8, we would always prefer upper decks. Also, with the connecting rooms it would be easy access to 2 bathrooms for all.

Its fair to say you have put some thought into this quandary and I can certainly understand that. All the cruise line did was add some options in addition to the included items, made some enhancements for more options. This has been over the years like any other business truthfully. You made the decision to use those options and change the game for your family. If you or your family ever use the lido marketplace for anything (even grab a coffee or other drink), someone has to do something to service you (the crew wear many hats and you really dont know who is doing what for you at times). They may or may not be part of the MDR staff but someone is still required to clean up or restock in marketplace all day. If you set a cup down somewhere or a plate from the pizza place (or where ever) then someone is coming behind you to pick it up. Breakfast somewhere? Lunch? snacks? As mentioned in prior posts, its per day and not per service and it is impossible to see who is behind the scenes cleaning up after you or your family.

We are leaving on MG in 15 days and chef table was $99 pp up until this week, now at $119 pp. We have done it in the past but it was just way too much food in one sitting for me (I just dont eat that much at once so kind of a waste overall for me) although DH enjoyed it. I would not go again but DH and DS may decide at some point to do it again I guess.

The short answer for us would be no. Although its been a few years since we have had any oceanview cabin, the bottom line is we are not fans of the coves (not a fan of the salt spray wipe down on the balcony every time to use it as it is always misty and way too close to the water for our liking). The deluxe OV is a great cabin especially if you have kids with you or just some extra bathroom space for getting ready. Is your OV in a better location overall?

Thank you for your honest assessment and opinion of your Celebration cruise, it is appreciated. Sounds like you might be in the "the bigger ships are not for me" group possibly, there are many that feel the same way as you. The bigger ship class is not for everyone for sure Your vacation time and funds are important and you should have what is essential to you and your family in order to have a great time. Many things have changed these last few years and those changes (ie: like no tablecloths in MDR among others) are not going to meet all expectations but are important enough to consider when making vacation plans. It comes down to making choices and what you can or cannot deal with when it comes to taking a cruise vacation. At least now you have a comparison and information to decide for the future. Thank you again for your feedback and good luck with whatever choices you make in the future,

We only ate in the MDR 2xs last December on MG, we had pretty good experiences when we did. We are boarding MG again in 3 weeks and we have 3 other venues already booked and will do some others once we board of course. We were not disappointed last year but with all the other choices we seem to drift away from choosing the MDR. The food we had in the other venues was excellent for the most part and hopefully will be again. Truthfully, we have other venues booked for the elegant nights already so we may not even get to the MDR this time around I guess.

Been on all the ships you mentioned and would vote for Mardi Gras hands down . The other ships are good but as mentioned in another post, Mardi Gras is a game changer (we are back on her in 3 weeks). DS is in college now but we have cruised since he was a toddler and IMHO Carnival has always done a pretty good job with the kids and the activities so any of the ships you mention should suffice as far as your kids go. That being said, the activities and options for all of you cant be beat on MG, between food choices and things to do, its the winner. Being it is a much larger ship than most you may want to be a little more strategic when choosing your cabin location (like if you want to be closer to certain areas for the kids or eating venues for easy access etc). You could also look into the Family Harbor cabins as the kids will have a lounge to hang out in and some other perks I think for their age group. All in all, MG has something for everyone in every age group. Have fun!

So sorry for your loss and may your memories carry you through this difficult time.

We are also heading out in 3 weeks (on MG) and we pay as you go as well. I am not a drinker for the most part (wine with dinner) and DH drinks beer when he drinks (wine with dinner). We sometimes pad the account with a couple hundred in bar cash (or regular cruise cash which can be used for anything including the bar) using discounted gift cards (10% off) so we have a starting point. It's just a little something to get the party started (with a little discount too) and then go from there. It's not a big deal to do and could be worth it if you get the discounted gift cards to add to your account. Have a blast on your trip!

Love MG, going on again in 3 weeks, looking to book Celebration soon as well. Love the bigger, newer ships and all they have to offer.

We are back on MG in 3 weeks and the steakhouse is worth it for us on whatever ship we sail. As far as Cucina, although we have eaten there a couple of times (including MG last December) Italian is my least favorite food and I found it just average for me. It is still complimentary but if it was a ship where you have to pay for it then I would say its not worth it for me. MG is a huge ship, we only use the stairs when we cruise but if you need to use the elevators plan for a little extra time when using them. They take time and are often quite crowded. There are so many venues to eat at and DH spent alot of his time in the Hero's lounge watching the football games on the big TVs going on (and some other sports) that weekend. The people watching with him were a great group and they had so much fun (plenty to eat and drink in the area on deck 8. Try Bolt rollercoaster at least once (reserve on the Hub app for a day and time, it cost but worth the thrill at least once). The comedy shows were great and there were many to choose from as they switched out the comedians (plan to get in line ahead of time). We love the Teppanyaki restaurant and always make it to dinner there at least once during the week. Lots to do on the bigger ships, great serenity area, we do not do the pools/hot tubs locations since DS is in college and does not have any interest in those crowds (ie: kids) so aside from always being crowded like normal, cannot speak to those parts of the ship. We love Shaq's big chicken, DS and myself like it better than Guys burgers, toss up for DH. Lots of fun places to drink on MG and Emeril's for breakfast is really good (shrimp and grits very tasty). With some preplanning and just having a good attitude will get you a great cruise overall. Have a blast!

We are on MG again in 3 weeks and have 2 cruises booked for 2024 on Sunshine before she leaves Charleston. We will book Celebration if we decide not to do a land vacation in 2024. We are also in process of booking something in Europe for 2025 (DS graduates from college and is on his way to law school) but obviously will take whatever ship is do that sailing. We are also looking at RCCL for Europe as we have not sailed with them in a couple of years and I was sent some decent Black Friday deals today.

If you have cruise cash left on S&S account on the last night of cruise, go to guest services or casino cage and cash out your account. They will give you the remaining balance on your account and close it out. Do it once you are done and ready to go back to cabin as the account is closed at that point but you are leaving in morning so you should be done anyway.

If you have funds left over from cruise cash (its not an issue) just go to guest services or cashier cage in the casino on the last night of cruise and cash out your S & S account. They will give you anything left at that point. Do it right before you go back to your cabin for night ( account will be closed) but you are leaving the next morning anyway.

Link to Carnival Youth Program; https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1397/kw/kids club/session/L3RpbWUvMTcwMDM5Nzg5OS9nZW4vMTcwMDM5Nzg5OS9zaWQvZlVQTEp6NHNacG1DVkpKUWJaQ3U2S3JfbW1IOXl6MldqS2l6ZUhkOUowRXZHOFBfTmswUXFmeDVmVE1seWptcmpyX2Z4NlZ6Q1VSRkpHVFpoZXc1VkJRNGVMN09aWWdfNjlic0NrUHFMJTdFZDR4VTBvbE5wJTdFT0s0QSUyMSUyMQ==#:~:text=Post Cruise Inquiries-,CARNIVAL'S YOUTH PROGRAM,NO,-ANSWERS OTHERS FOUND

In August on Sunshine I had my card scanned at muster and they checked in the whole cabin for muster. DH and DS never had cards scanned. No demo there just check in and video running in stateroom.

Your boarding pass should get you what you want before you get your S & S card.